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Commissioner race: Breidenthal says his experience will pay off Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 29, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 29, 2016 at 9:48 AM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 29, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 29, 2016 at 9:48 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Commissioner race: Strosser cites strong public service • Commissioner race: Challstrom says government unfriendly to business... » Social News Doug Breidenthal said he is seeking re-election to Jackson County Board of Commissioners Position 2 because he has the most experience and has unfinished business. "I've been doing the job itself for the last three years and so much of that work is coming to fruition," said Breidenthal, 46. Formerly a fire operations chief, Breidenthal is squaring off against Bob Strosser and Gordon Challstrom in the Republican primary election on May 17. The winner of the three-way race will take on Democrat Jeff Thomas in November. Breidenthal has served as board chairman of the Madrone Trail Public Charter School, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Party and on the board of the Medford Senior Center. He said he will become the president of the National Association of Counties' Western Interstate Region in May, and will keep that post for two years. "It will give the county the strongest voice it's ever had on a national basis," he said. "It carries a lot of weight in Washington, D.C." Breidenthal is currently under investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice for campaign contributions he received when he was seeking office with the Western Interstate Region. "It's best to let that investigation move forward in its natural course of events," Breidenthal said. Breidenthal said during his time in office, the county's financial situation has improved, with the county able to build up its rainy-day reserves while continuing to provide services and invest in capital improvements. He said the county has taken steps to improve the local economy, increase jobs and recruit businesses to the area, including by investing in Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. The county is working closely with local schools, Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University to improve the qualifications of the local workforce, Breidenthal said. On the issue of marijuana in the county, he said he does agree with Oregon voters' 2014 decision to legalize recreational marijuana for adults. "I do agree with the concept of legalization. It moves it out of the black market and allows us to put restraints on it like with alcohol to limit nefarious action and marijuana getting into the hands of kids," he said. Breidenthal said county commissioners tried to allow medical marijuana growing with buffer zones on rural residential land in the county, but a new state law has blocked that. He said county law may need to be adjusted to allow such crops. On the issue of salaries for commissioners, Breidenthal said he would continue to take his full salary if re-elected. His current salary of $99,673 will bump up to $105,331 in January 2017. "I'll be honest, I'll take the amount," he said. Challstrom has vowed to take $72,000 if he replaces Breidenthal as commissioner. Strosser said he is not opposed to matching sitting Commissioner Colleen Roberts' stance on the pay issue. She takes $68,432. Breidenthal said the job should pay enough that commissioners are able to support their families. "I don't want to see a Board of Commissioners made up of retired or rich people," he said. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 29, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 29, 2016 at 9:48 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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